I crafted the following copy examples in response to the Daily UX writing prompts. I used Figma to design wireframes. Brand names, logos, and images used in this exercise belong to their respective owners.
Scenario
The user works in graphic design. While critiquing a design in a mobile app, their phone abruptly turns off. When they restart the phone, they reopen the app.
Challenge
Write a message that the user will read immediately upon opening the app. What do they need to know? What steps (if any) do they need to take to recover their content? What if they can’t recover the content?
- Headline: 40 characters
- Body: 140 characters max
- Button(s): 20 characters max
Solution
I’ve written copy for two scenarios:
- The app autosaves every change in a file. Therefore, no data was lost. In this scenario, the copy is short, assuring the user that their work is saved. The button takes the user to the last place where they were.
- The data couldn’t be saved. Copy in this case is longer to explain that the work wasn’t saved and to assure the user that the app developers will look into this. The button in this case takes the user to the Homepage because the last saved place of the user is not available.
In both scenarios, the headline uses design-related idioms since this is a design app.
Solution 1: Autosave success
This wasn’t our design!
But don’t worry, we’ve saved your work.
Button: Take me there
Solution 2: Autosave failed
We didn’t design for this!
Something unexpected happened and we couldn’t capture your work. We’ve sent a crash report to our team and they’ll look into this.
Button: Return to Home
Nikita Apraj 